Eastern Kentucky University asks for $50 million authorization for medical school escrow, seeks funding for aviation expansion and asset preservation

President David McFeden, president of Eastern Kentucky University, told the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education that EKU is requesting funding to launch a Center for Health Innovation that would include a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program and to expand its aviation programs.

"For our accreditation escrow, we do have a $50 million ask," McFeden told the committee, explaining later in the hearing that the request is composed of a $42.5 million escrow required by the accrediting body plus roughly $7.5 million in first‑year operating startup costs that are part of accreditation readiness. He said the escrow would be held in an interest‑bearing account and that principal and interest would be returned to the state general fund if the funds remain unused after accreditation milestones are met.

McFeden emphasized EKU's growth and the university's role in workforce development: he said 43% of this spring's graduating class are Pell‑eligible and about 40% are first‑generation college students. He said EKU is increasing health‑sector enrollment and that, with the new center, health‑field enrollment on campus could approach 3,500 students.

On aviation, McFeden said EKU's pro‑flight program now serves more than 500 students and asked the subcommittee for $5 million in one‑time capital to purchase simulators and prepare facilities, plus $1.5 million in recurring funds to subsidize the program. He described a proposed enhanced air‑traffic control (ATC) program with cohorts of roughly 30 students per year in a two‑year associate pathway, which would produce an ATC credential together with an associate degree.

"We're looking at cohorts of 30," McFeden said, adding that a two‑year pipeline would mean about 60 students active at a time and that the program could attract out‑of‑state students because enhanced ATC programs are scarce nationally.

McFeden also outlined aircraft needs: EKU currently flies about 30 aircraft with an average fleet age near 31 years and is seeking $10 million for acquisitions. He cited FAA best practices on student‑to‑aircraft ratios (about 10:1) and said a fleet of 43–44 aircraft would better support the growth the program expects.

He thanked the legislature for prior asset‑preservation support and requested additional funding to address deferred maintenance, citing a 2014 VFA study that estimated large statewide backlogs. He also endorsed an inflationary operating adjustment, continued support for the pension solution referenced in prior legislation, and a last‑dollar approach for state‑mandated tuition waivers to maximize federal and state aid.

The committee asked follow‑up questions on capacity for the ATC program, the composition and timing of the accreditation escrow, and the aircraft acquisition request; McFeden confirmed the clarification that the escrow component is $42.5 million and the first‑year operating startup is about $7.5 million, and that the escrow would be held while the inaugural class reaches accreditation milestones and then returned to the general fund.